Parents Reassured Of School Safety

In Wake Of Colorado Massacre

SOUTH WINDSOR — Even before the massacre of students in Colorado, local officials had studied security in town schools and taken steps to ensure safety.

In a letter sent last week, Superintendent Joseph Wood told parents that school principals throughout town have procedures and guidelines for responding to emergencies, including tornadoes, floods, gas leaks and power failures.

Wood said he and Police Chief Gary Tyler also developed plans last spring to respond to dangers posed by intruders as well as people inside schools.

The building security committee was formed to draw up procedures for dealing with dangerous or threatening people. The committee's work is ongoing, Wood said.

Another step taken was the institution of a lock-down procedure where students literally are locked inside their classrooms under the watchful eyes of teachers.

Under a lock-down, a secret code is sent to teachers by phone or over the public address system. The code signals teachers to grab students from hallways, lock their doors, avoid windows, and keep students calm.

School officials also have reviewed programs for identifying and helping troubled youths. Although the programs are considered adequate, Wood believes that the addition of training programs for parents coping with challenging children could be beneficial.

Another proposal under consideration is the addition of a police officer who would be assigned full time to patrol town schools.

Town council members will consider adding the position when they meet Monday night in town hall to adopt next year's town budget.

Town Manager Matthew B. Gallligan said he has found other areas in the budget where planned expenditures can be reduced so that the addition of a school resource officer will not cause an increase in taxes.